Frédéric Paquet : «Let's change dynamics»

Management Evolution

“For the Executive Management, I’m taking over after an effective President who made his presence known. Like everyone who belongs to my generation, I was a big fan of ASSE in my childhood. It’s with much happiness and pride that I join this club. There’s an incredible project that we are developing. It gives me much pleasure especially since my relationship with Roland Romeyer was always good and since we share the same values. Teams often represent the qualities of their boss. Here, people are open and very kind. It’s a very pleasant and positive atmosphere. But I will not solve anything by myself especially in regards of the match tomorrow because the problem is above all athletic. It’s the players who have the most important role to play, which is why the winter transfer window is today the priority of AS Saint-Etienne. The goal of the club is to put the coach, Jean-Louis Gasset, and his team in the best conditions possible for the last 16 matches of the championship. With the arrival of our new recruits, we’ve made sure that we’ve improved the team.”
 
The Team Situation
 
 “The players are disappointed, sometimes frustrated by certain results but I feel that they are determined and reassured by their performance during their match against Nice. Taking into account our ranking, we are in the situation where we have to maintain our Ligue 1 status. We hope to put things right in the championship because we don’t deserve our current ranking, which doesn’t correctly represent the quality of our team, all the more so since the winter transfer window. From now until January 31^st, we’re going to try to sell or loan some players so that the technical staff can work in good conditions. Clearly we have a number of irons in the fire but we’ll only make announcements after the agreements are concluded.
 
A New Project
 
“I’m going to take the necessary time in order to understand the inner workings of the club, get to know the men who work here and the environment. My role will be to propose a project to the Board of Directors and to the Supervisory Board in order to make the club as effective as possible. The idea is to shift dynamics in a way that is consistent with club’s resources. AS Saint-Etienne is a very important driving force in its environment. Partners and supporters all have an important role. In Saint-Etienne, I have always been impressed by the atmosphere in the stadium during a match. It’s strong, very impressive and above all rare in France. The fans are an integral part of the life of a club. The only limit that I impose is on violence. I understand that fans are upset about our poor results. But violence is unacceptable, it isn’t a solution. Clubs and fans all have to play their roles and respect each other.”